"At least 17 groups from across the nation were expected to file friend-of-the-court briefs in support of gay marriage, the gay-rights group Lambda Legal announced. The papers were filed on behalf of six same-sex couples who want to marry in Iowa.

"...One friend-of-the-court brief filed with Lambda includes a statement from former lieutenant governors Joy Corning and Sally Pederson.

"'We are proud of Iowa's long history of in ensuring fairness and equality for all Iowans,' the joint statement read.

"'As former elected officials, we have a deep respect for the role of the Iowa Supreme Court and the judicial process. We signed our names to a brief submitted to the court because we believe that the court is the proper place to decide this matter.'"